Rookie Move (Playing for Keeps #1)(62)

“Like before, I can’t lie and pretend I’m not worried. You’re not ready to come out, and you should never be pushed; plus, doing this is a risk for both of you…”

“I know that. You think I don’t know that?” This whole situation was a fucking disaster waiting to happen, but the craziest part was, I’d keep doing it. As long as Garrett was game, I would keep it up, making sure I was the one who suffered the consequences.

“Wow…you’re going to marry my baby brother.”

“No I’m not.”

“And have his babies.”

“Ha-ha.”

“You’ll adopt a bunch of them, fill that big-ass house of yours, buy a minivan with stick figures on the back windshield.”

“I hate you,” I reiterated, but Houston just laughed.

“Sorry not sorry. I have to give you shit. What’s family for?” We shared a laugh before I fell back against the booth and closed my eyes. “Whatever you need, Ramsey. I’ve always got your back. We’ll figure it out.”

I turned and looked at him. “Thank you. Please don’t tell Garrett about any of this. I don’t even know if he feels the same.”

“I’m pretty sure Garrett’s wanted a minivan and ten kids with you for years.”

That shouldn’t have made me smile—I didn’t even want children—but it did.

We hung out for a bit longer, and when I was ready to head home, I sent a text to Tucker to let him know we were leaving. Houston bailed first, and I was outside waiting for my ride when Tucker sneaked up beside me, smelling like whiskey and putting an arm around me. With his mouth close to my ear, he whispered, “Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone.”

“Huh?”

“About you and McRae. I don’t know how I didn’t see it before. He’s bi, and you guys have been close for years.” Wait…for years? “I saw the way he looked at you in there when you admitted being in a relationship. I’m happy for you guys. You didn’t have to hide being bi from me. No shame in the game. I fucked around with a few guys in college.”

“Jesus.” I dropped my head back. “I’m not—”

“Don’t deny it. I won’t believe you anyway. Your secret’s safe with me. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have three women to satisfy.” Tucker waggled his brows, then jogged over to the ladies waiting for him.

Great. Tucker had figured out my secret, only he had the wrong brother in mind.





20





GARRETT





Lately I found myself having to make a concerted effort not to pay too much attention to Ramsey, which was saying something since I’d already had years of practice.

But twice since arriving at my parents’ house for Thanksgiving dinner, I’d had to bite back a comment that shaded too far into sexual territory for public consumption, and then I’d had to pull a last-minute quick change and punch Ramsey in the shoulder rather than the squeeze I’d intended for his big bicep as I passed him in the kitchen while he was getting out silverware to set the table.

Ramsey wore his usual supremely amused smile during all this, but Houston kept giving me the side-eye and finally caught me by the arm when I was heading to the bathroom, pulling me into his old room instead. “Is something going on with Tucker?”

Tucker’s Thanksgiving plans had fallen through, and I’d taken pity on him and invited him to my parents’.

I blinked. I’d been expecting Houston to tell me I was being pitifully obvious around Ramsey. “With Tucker? What do you mean? Like me and Tucker?” I laughed.

“No, dumbass. I don’t know. Tucker and Ramsey?”

I blinked again. “Fuck no.” The very idea made me want to snarl.

“Tucker keeps looking at me.”

“Looking at you how?” I asked cautiously.

“I dunno. Weirdly. Like he’s watching for something. Waiting for something. Wait, does he know about you two? Does he think I’m pissed?”

“Oh. That. Um…” How to explain. Maybe simple was best. “It’s possible he thinks you and Ramsey are in a secret relationship.”

“He wha—”

Simple was not best. I slammed a hand over his mouth. “Jesus. Pipe down.”

“Why the fuck does he think that?” His jaw tightened when I hedged. “Garrett, why does he think that?”

I cleared my throat. “Well, so, the last time you were all out, he saw you and Rams talking…closely. Or something. And he got this crazy idea that you two are together.” Ramsey had told me about it the next day, and we’d shared a laugh. It seemed harmless enough, after all, and besides, that meant Tucker hadn’t noticed anything between us, which I deduced meant the rest of the team didn’t suspect anything either, and that was exactly according to plan, right? So, harmless.

Except maybe not, since he was now spending Thanksgiving with us.

“Ramsey didn’t think to correct him?”

“He was caught off guard. Or he misunderstood at first, and then Tucker said he wasn’t gonna say shit anyway, so he figured what did it matter? Took a little pressure off us, at least. Honestly, we both thought it was kinda funny. Tucker hasn’t brought it up again. We figured he let it go. He was pretty drunk that night anyway.”